Department for Transport

Bridges: Barcombe

Baroness Randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byBaroness Vere of Norbiton on 15 October (HL3031),whether (1) Highways England intend to pursue the infilling of Barcombe Bridge, (2) Highways England have completed design for the infilling, and (3) plans for such infilling are publicly available.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: National Highways (formerly known as Highways England) have paused all plans to infill Barcombe Bridge. Future proposals for the structure will be considered in line with the highways authority (East Sussex County Council) and the local authority (Lewes District Council) taking into account any potential future use proposals. All infilling work on the Historical Railways Estate, including Barcombe Bridge, has been paused. National Highways is reviewing its programme of works and seeking additional input through its newly created ‘Stakeholder Advisory Forum’ which comprises key stakeholders, with an interest in historical railways and active travel. This body will review all future National Highways maintenance proposals, ensuring future schemes take account of stakeholder feedback and opportunities to repurpose and re-use structures.

Large Goods Vehicle Drivers: Training

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have (1) to extend, and (2) to reform, theCertificate of Professional Competence to encourage (a) experienced, and (b) retired, HGV drivers to return to work.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) was introduced to improve road safety and provide economic and environmental benefits. Our assessment is that there are merits in modifying the processes, although change to key issues would require regulatory and legislative changes. At the discretion of local DWP Work Coaches, the Flexible Support Fund is available to those who are currently unemployed or are in receipt of Universal Credit to renew their CPC, where appropriate. In addition, many employers are offering training packages so even if a driver’s CPC has lapsed, he or she can be supported in updating this through classroom or online courses.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Intellectual Property: Reform

Lord Foster of Bath: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the reply byLord Parkinson of Whitley Bay on 13 October (HL Deb, col. 1830) on intellectual property reform, (1) what representations they have made to the Intellectual Property Office regarding the impact on the creative industries and design sectors that a shift to an International Exhaustion Regime would have, and (2) what changes they are considering to the UK's design systems to address the lack of reciprocal recognition by the EU for unregistered design rights.

Lord Callanan: The Government has recently held a consultation on the UK’s future exhaustion of intellectual property rights regime. The Intellectual Property Office held constructive discussions with stakeholders across multiple business sectors, including representatives from the creative industries and design sectors. The Government is currently assessing the options and will make a decision in due course. The UK sought an agreement with the EU on reciprocal disclosure for unregistered designs. This would have been beneficial to UK design businesses. However, the EU decided to pass up the opportunity to conclude such mutually beneficial text, which is disappointing. The Government recognises that this an important issue for UK designers and will consider it in future work on the UK designs system.

Postal Services: Standards

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, if any, of how delays in Royal Mail's postal delivery service impact the economy; and what steps are they taking to address any adverse impacts resulting from such delays.

Lord Callanan: The Government recognises the important role that postal services have in supporting the UK economy as well as individuals, families and businesses throughout the country, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic. We remain committed to ensuring the universal postal service, through the universal service obligation, remains affordable and accessible to all users. Ofcom, as the UK’s designated independent regulator of postal services, monitors Royal Mail’s performance standards in relation to its delivery of the universal postal service. Under Ofcom’s regulatory framework Royal Mail, as the UK’s designated universal service provider, is subject to a set of minimum requirements and service standards in the provision of universal services. Ofcom publishes an annual monitoring update on postal services on its website.  Ofcom is carrying out a review of the future regulatory framework for post which it aims to complete in 2022.  As part of this review, Ofcom is considering whether its regulatory framework remains fit for purpose and effective. Ofcom intends to publish a full consultation on the future regulation of postal services later this year.

Department for Education

Education: Coronavirus

Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what evaluation criteria they are using to assess the effectiveness of theEducation Recovery programme.

Baroness Barran: The department is evaluating the impact of current recovery work and developing metrics and an evaluation plan to monitor the overall education recovery package as well as specific interventions, including for specific groups of learners.The department has commissioned Renaissance Learning and their subcontractor, the Education Policy Institute, to provide a baseline assessment of the learning loss and catch-up needs for pupils in schools in England, and to monitor progress over the course of the 2020-21 academic year. We are currently seeking commercial agreements for further academic years.The department has a contract with Ipsos MORI, in consortium with Sheffield Hallam University and the Centre for Education and Youth, to undertake a mixed-methods study design (including surveys, interviews, and case studies) to examine how schools are tackling the issue of lost learning. Results from the study will be used to understand how the catch-up premium funds have been spent and how best to support schools to tackle learning loss.The department has commissioned evaluations of specific interventions, such as the National Tutoring Programme, to understand the effectiveness of individual interventions and will use management information to track progress against delivery.We will collate all of this evidence to assess the performance of the overall programme.

Education: Males

Baroness Eaton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what further steps they intend to take to improve the average education outcomes for boys to match those of girls in order to narrow the gender learning gap.

Baroness Barran: The department does not design education policy that exclusively targets certain groups of pupils with characteristics that are protected by the Equality Act 2010, including policy based on gender. We are committed to providing high quality education and training for everyone, whatever their background or personal characteristics.Since 2010, the government has pursued a reform agenda to drive up academic standards for all and level up for the most disadvantaged pupils. When it comes to raising standards, evidence shows that teachers are the most important in-school factor affecting pupils’ education. In June 2021, the department announced an investment of over £250 million in our National Professional Qualifications and Early Career Framework programmes, which are based on the best available evidence and have been developed in partnership with the Education Endowment Foundation. In addition, in October 2021, we announced a levelling up premium worth up to £3,000 tax-free for mathematics, physics, chemistry and computing teachers in years 1 to 5 of their careers. This will support recruitment and retention of specialist teachers in these subjects, and in the schools and areas that need them most. Through this, the department is committed to helping tackle the learning gap for all pupils.

Digital Technology: Education

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to make the teaching of digital skills mandatory.

Baroness Barran: The government recognises the critical importance of digital skills in everyday life and for the wider economy. A new computing curriculum was introduced to schools in England in September 2014. This replaced Information and Communications Technology (ICT), due to widespread views that it was outdated and failed to equip young people with the knowledge and skills they needed.The new computing curriculum is designed to ensure that all pupils learn the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, can analyse problems in computational terms, have experience of writing computer programs, can evaluate and apply information technology (including new or unfamiliar technologies), and are responsible, competent and creative users of ICT. This computing curriculum is compulsory for all state-maintained schools, and free schools and academies can use it as an exemplar.The acquisition of digital skills in the school space is supported by the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE), backed by a government investment of £84 million. The NCCE has created 500 hours of free, high quality teacher resources, which include cyber security, digital literacy and data science.From August 2020, the department introduced a new digital entitlement for adults with no or low-level digital skills to undertake digital qualifications, up to level 1, free of charge. Digital skills qualifications funded under the digital entitlement are based on national standards that set out the digital skills people need to get on in life and work. The department has committed to making essential digital skills training more accessible and flexible, building on the innovation in online learning implemented during the COVID-19 outbreak.The department also supports the provision of basic digital skills training for adults in community settings through the adult education budget.We are investing £500 million in the implementation of the new T Levels, and to help individuals enhance their digital skills, there are three available under the digital route. All T Level programmes include digital skills that are relevant to the occupations in question, giving employers the confidence that graduates have the level of proficiency needed for employment.The department is also taking forward an ambitious programme of further education reform through the Further Education White Paper. It is clear digital skills will be a major area of focus.

Department for International Trade

Gulf States: Human Rights

Lord Scriven: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether human rights were discussed at the meeting between UK Government Ministers, the Gulf Cooperation Council General Secretary, and the representative of the government of Bahrain,Hamad Bin Salman Al Khalifa, on 7 Octoberin London.

Lord Grimstone of Boscobel: On 8th October, my Rt. hon Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade and my hon Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, the Minister for International Trade, met with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary General H.E. Dr. Nayef Falah M. Al-Hajraf and the GCC Chief Negotiator H.E. Abdulrahman Al Harbi. The Bahraini Commerce Minister H.E. Zayed bin Rashid Alzayani joined by telephone, to represent Bahrain as the current holder of the GCC presidency. The meeting focused on British and the GCC ambition to launch Free Trade Agreement negotiations in 2022. Both sides welcomed HM Government’s launch of a public consultation, to seek views from consumers, businesses and civil society, to help us craft a deal that levels up our nation.

Trade Agreements: Gulf States

Lord Scriven: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to make a free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council conditional on improvements in those countries’ human rights, including the release of high-profile political prisoners.

Lord Grimstone of Boscobel: The Gulf Cooperation Council is a major trading partner of the United Kingdom, with an overall trade relationship worth £30.3 billion in 2020. On 8th October, HM Government opened a public consultation, requesting input from consumers, businesses, and civil society to help us craft a deal that levels up our nation. HM Government is clear that more trade need not come at the expense of our values. The United Kingdom will continue to show global leadership in encouraging all states to uphold international rights and responsibilities.

Food: Imports

Baroness McIntosh of Pickering: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to ensure that imported meat and food products under any Free Trade Agreement meet the same high standards of production in terms of (1) animal welfare, and (2) health environmental conditions of home produce; and whether failure to meet such standards will mean these imports will not be allowed.

Lord Grimstone of Boscobel: HM Government remains committed to Britain’s high animal welfare, food safety, environmental, product and labour standards. We have established the Trade and Agriculture Commission and placed it on a statutory footing to independently help us make sure that British food safety standards are protected throughout trade negotiations.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Climate Diplomacy Fund

Lord Collins of Highbury: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the budget for the Climate Diplomacy Fund.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The full budget and thematic allocations for the Climate Diplomacy Fund will be published in due course, as per normal practise.

Jerusalem: Housing

Baroness Sheehan: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel regarding the renewal of a plan to construct a new settlement of up to 2,600 housing units in East Jerusalem.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Minister of State for Middle East and North Africa urged the Government of Israel to reverse their decision to advance the construction of settlement units in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem on 28 October. The former Foreign Secretary also raised ongoing evictions, demolitions and settlement activity, including in East Jerusalem, with the Israeli authorities during his visit to the region on 26 May. The UK regularly calls on Israel to end illegal settlement expansion in the West Bank and closely monitors reports of further settlement advancements. The UK's position on settlements is clear. They are illegal under international law, present an obstacle to peace and threaten the physical viability of a two-state solution. We continue to urge the Israeli and Palestinian leaderships to avoid actions which make peace more difficult to achieve.

Israel: Palestinians

Baroness Sheehan: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel regardingan attack by Israeli settlers on Palestinian homes in Khirbet al-Mufaqarah on 28 September.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We condemn any incidence of violence by settlers against Palestinians. We welcome the efforts of Israeli authorities to address settler violence, and urge them to thoroughly investigate every instance to bring those responsible to justice. We also continue to stress the importance of the Israeli security forces providing appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population, in particular the need to protect children, and urge restraint in the use of live fire.

Abduljalil al-Singace

Lord Scriven: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to make a public statement calling on the government of Bahrain to release Dr Abduljalil AlSingace from prison.

Lord Scriven: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to make a public statement calling on the government of Bahrainto release Hassan Mushaimafrom prison.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We continue to monitor and raise the cases of Dr Abduljalil al-Singace, Hassan Mushaima and others, as necessary, with the Bahraini Government as well as with the oversight bodies. We understand that Hassan Mushaima was offered conditional release from prison under an alternative sentence, but that he declined.

Israel: Palestinians

Baroness Sheehan: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel regarding the killing of a sixteen-year-old Palestinian in Beit Jala on 14 October.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We regularly raise the issue of the high numbers of Palestinians killed and injured by Israel Defence Forces in the West Bank and Gaza with the Israeli authorities, encouraging them to carry out transparent investigations into whether the use of live fire had been appropriate. We repeatedly call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and have a regular dialogue with Israel on legal issues relating to the occupation. We continue to stress the importance of the Israeli security forces providing appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population and urge restraint in the use of live fire.

West Bank: Palestinians

Baroness Janke: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatsteps they are takingto protect Palestinians' access to water in the West Bank.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK has raised the issue of access to water in the Occupied Palestinian Territories with the Israeli authorities, including stressing the urgent need for Israel to take immediate and practical measures to improve the current situation and ensure fair distribution of water in the West Bank.

Palestinians: Detainees

Baroness Janke: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of theDetainees and Ex-Detainees' Affairs Commission findings of 15 September that two thirds of the Palestinian detainees in the Etzion settlement bloc in Bethlehem are minors.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are aware of this report. We repeatedly call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and have a regular dialogue with Israel on legal issues relating to the occupation, including the treatment of Palestinian children. We continue to stress the importance of the Israeli security forces providing appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population, in particular the need to protect children.

Hebron: Demonstrations

Baroness Janke: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that Israeli soldiers injured several nonviolent protesters and journalists south of Hebron on 17 September.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are aware of these reports. Our Embassy in Tel Aviv regularly raises the importance of the Israel security force's adherence to the principles of necessity and proportionality when defending its legitimate security interest. The wounded or critically ill should be able to access the urgent medical care they need.

Ahmad Vahidi

Baroness Deech: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the appointment of Ahmad Vahidi as Minister of the Interior in the government of Iran.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We have always been clear that Iran must uphold its international legal obligations, including conducting thorough and independent investigations into suspected human rights violations, both past and present. We have called and will continue to call President Raisi and his government, including the Minister of Interior Ahmad Vahidi, to set Iran on a different course. This includes committing to improving human rights in Iran.

Iraq: Turkey

Baroness Hodgson of Abinger: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that Turkey is using chemical weapons in northern Iraq.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We take seriously all allegations of the use of chemical weapons - it is important that the full facts are established. We continue to reiterate the importance of dialogue and cooperation between Iraq and Turkey to combat terrorism, ensure regional security and protect civilians. We welcome discussions between Iraqi and Turkish Defence Ministers regarding Ankara's military operations against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a proscribed terrorist group, in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). The Foreign Secretary discussed the stability of Iraq and the KRI with KRI President, Nechirvan Barzani, during his visit to London of 15-17 September.

Climate Change: International Cooperation

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what diplomatic steps they have taken to support international action to tackle climate change ahead of COP26.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: Climate is the top priority for the Government. The UK's COP26 Presidency provides a key opportunity to promote and engage international cooperation on tackling climate change. The Foreign Secretary and every member of the Ministerial team will continue to discuss climate in our meetings with counterparts across the world.

Climate Diplomacy Fund

Lord Collins of Highbury: To ask Her Majesty's Government which companies have received funds from the Climate Diplomacy Fund.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The Climate Diplomacy Fund is allocated to British diplomatic posts, with some regional allocations. Posts follow the FCDO's Programme Operating Framework as well as departmental finance and commercial guidance to design and manage projects and ensure value for money. However FCDO does not collate a central list of which companies have been engaged to deliver projects. Asking individual overseas posts to provide this information in the immediate lead-up to COP26 in Glasgow would not be possible.

Israel: Palestinians

Baroness Janke: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel regarding reported failures by the Israeli army to reportthe use of firearms by settlers against unarmed Palestinians.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We continue to raise with Israeli counterparts our concerns about Israeli settler violence, and continue to stress the importance of the Israeli security forces providing appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population. We urge the Israeli authorities to thoroughly investigate every instance and bring those responsible to justice.

Climate Diplomacy Fund

Lord Collins of Highbury: To ask Her Majesty's Government which projects are supported by the Climate Diplomacy Fund.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The Climate Diplomacy Fund is non-ODA and small amounts of funding are devolved to British diplomatic posts, to support projects that meet policy outcomes linked to a successful negotiated outcome at COP26, deliver stronger sectoral action to accelerate transitions to clean growth in the global economy, or raise partner country ambition through increased national commitments (Nationally Determined Contributions) and net zero targets.

Ministry of Defence

Armoured Fighting Vehicles: Accidents

Lord Alderdice: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many military armoured vehicle 'rollovers' have taken place which resulted in (1) death, or (2) serious injury, in each of the last 10 years.

Baroness Goldie: In the last 10 years there have been 18 separate military armoured vehicle ‘rollover incidents resulting in two deaths and 31 serious injuries.

Type 26 Frigates: Procurement

Lord West of Spithead: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the reply byBaroness Goldie on 14 October (HL Deb, cols 1915–18), when the last of the eight planned Type 26 frigates will be accepted by the Royal Navy.

Baroness Goldie: I am unable to provide the information requested by the noble Lord as it remains commercially sensitive. I refer the noble Lord to my previous response to question number HL14017, answered on 17 March 2021.Type 26 Frigates (docx, 13.7KB)

Department for Work and Pensions

Social Security Benefits: Disability

Baroness Lister of Burtersett: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will publish the report commissioned from NatCen on the uses ofhealth and disability benefits; why it has not yet been published; and whether non-publication is consistent with the Publication Protocol for Government Social Research.

Baroness Lister of Burtersett: To ask Her Majesty's Government why the research commissioned from NatCen on the uses of health and disability benefits was not referenced in the Shaping future support: the health and disability green paper, published on 20 July.

Baroness Stedman-Scott: The DWP Green Paper reflects a wide range of issues that were shaped by engagement with disabled people, representative organisations and charities, with relevant research and analysis playing a role in supporting the content which was presented. I have no intention to publish this research at present. It is important to protect the private space within which Ministers and their policy advisers can develop policies without the risk of premature disclosure.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Beaches: South East

Baroness Redfern: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the release of sewage at beaches in south-east England by Southern Water on 2 and 3 October; and what steps they will take to reduce the incidence of such releases in future.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: On 5 October 2021, a sewage discharge was made from Broadstairs Waste Water Treatment Works operated by Southern Water Services through the Short Sea Outfall to the sea at Joss Bay, Broadstairs. The Environment Agency investigation into the incident is ongoing.The Environment Agency has been working closely with partners including Thanet District Council and Southern Water Services to mitigate the effects from the discharge. Thanet District Council, in consultation with the Environment Agency, issued advice against bathing at ten designated bathing waters and other non-designated bathing waters on the North Kent coast. Southern Water and Thanet District Council have undertaken daily inspections of the Thanet beaches since the spill, and advice against bathing has now been lifted on all bathing water beaches.It is the responsibility of Southern Water Services to ensure that such releases do not occur and that in the event of any technical failure that they have resilient back up plans in place.Improving water quality is a Government priority and we are clear that incidents of this kind are unacceptable. The Government is working across a range of measures to crack down on water pollution, including through implementing and enforcing regulation, working closely with Storm Overflows Taskforce - chaired by Defra - and a new package of commitments in the Environment Bill.We have made it crystal clear to water companies that they must significantly reduce sewage discharges from storm overflows as a priority. The draft Strategic Policy Statement to Ofwat sets out our expectation that companies work to significantly reduce storm overflows for the first time and we expect funding to be approved for water companies to be able to do so. We have announced that we will put that instruction on a statutory footing with a new duty on water companies to progressively reduce impacts of sewage discharges.The Government has also committed to publish a plan by September 2022 to address the harm caused by sewage discharges from storm overflows and reduce their impact on the environment.The Environment Agency will work closely with Southern Water Services to both support and regulate their activity and to monitor improvement works to the waste water infrastructure around the North Kent coast. Failure to make improvements or comply with environmental permits in line with Environment Agency procedures may result in enforcement action.

Farmers: Income

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reported falls in farm incomes; and what steps they are taking to tackle the financial hardship experienced by small farmers.

Lord Benyon: The Government continues to monitor farm incomes. In the short term, farm incomes are sensitive to food prices and input costs, such as fertiliser prices, as well as exchange rates. Real output prices for grains, beef, lamb, poultry, and milk are at or above recent averages. However, real prices for fertiliser and feed are up significantly, whilst fuel price and wage data are largely within historic norms. We will continue to monitor the situation.The Government has also considered the medium-term trajectory of farm incomes. This has included publishing a comprehensive evidence compendium, updated in September 2019. This set out the impacts of removing Direct Payments, including analysis by sector, location in England and type of land tenure. It also provided analysis on how farm businesses, across all sectors, can offset the impact of Direct Payments. We are planning to publish further analysis by the end of this year. This will analyse farm incomes and how these will change between now and the end of the Agricultural Transition.Over the last 12 months, average output prices have risen faster than average input costs across UK farms. Data released on Thursday 21 October shows a 12.7% increase in output prices in the year to August 2021 - set against an 11.8% rise in input costs. Data on farm incomes are lagged and largely pre-date this period of output prices rising faster than input prices. Our most recent data for England shows that in real terms, farming incomes fell by 11% between 2018/19 and 2019/20. New data on farm incomes will be available in November.We are designing our farming reforms in collaboration with those who work in agriculture, considering their personal and business resilience issues. In August, we launched the Interim Phase of the Future Farming Resilience fund; a £10.7m grant funding project that will provide resilience support to farmers and land managers in England, to help them prepare for the Agricultural Transition period.The Agricultural Transition Plan sets out how we will maintain the same level of investment for farmers in England, which is £2.4 billion a year across this parliament. We will reinvest money saved by reducing Direct Payments into improved and new environment schemes and schemes which will help farmers get their businesses ready for the transition. These will include grants to invest in productivity measures, support to new entrants, supporting farmer-led innovation and improving farm resilience.

UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement: Cost Benefit Analysis

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will publish the latest cost-benefit analysis of the impact of the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement on (1) the UK fishing industry, and (2) coastal communities.

Lord Benyon: The UK now has greater shares of fishing quota under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), and more fishing quota available than last year. The total value of EU-UK fishing opportunities for the UK in 2021 is approximately £333 million – an increase of around £27 million on last year. The Marine Management Organisation has recently published analysis of the quota share uplifts gained during the TCA. In November, the Government will publish a summary of UK fishing opportunities in 2021, which is the outcome of both the TCA quota share uplifts and the annual fisheries negotiations.

Home Office

Napier Barracks: Coronavirus

The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many cases of COVID-19 there have been at Napier Barracks since April.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: Twelve people have tested positive for coronavirus whilst accommodated at Napier Barracks since April 2021.

Napier Barracks: Coronavirus

The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether all residents at Napier Barracks have been offered a COVID-19 vaccination.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: Asylum seekers, including those resident at Napier, have the same access to the Covid-19 vaccination as the general UK population.

Refugees: Afghanistan

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government (1) what assessment they have made of the number of refugees expected to flee Afghanistan in the next six months, and (2) what steps are they taking, domestically and with international partners, to manage the arrival of Afghan refugees to the UK and Europe.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) will welcome 5,000 people at risk in the first year, and up to 20,000 in the coming years.Work is underway across the whole of Government to ensure families who were evacuated from Afghanistan are supported, as they rebuild their lives in the UK. The support provided is similar to the commitments in the Syrian Resettlement Programme, providing people with the vital access to accommodation, health care, education and support into employment they need to fully integrate into society.The Government will continue to work closely with other government departments, non-governmental organisations, international organisations, charities, local authorities and other partners in the development and implementation of the ACRS.Further details of the Government’s approach can be found in the policy statement published on 13 September:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/afghanistan-resettlement-and-immigration-policy-statement/afghanistan-resettlement-and-immigration-policy-statement-accessible-version

Terrorism: Rehabilitation

Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown: To ask Her Majesty's Government what further steps they plan to take to de-radicalise terrorist extremists.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Desistance and Disengagement Programme (DDP) is part of Prevent. DDP focuses on rehabilitating individuals who have been involved in terrorism or terrorism-related activity and reducing the risk they pose to the UK. The programme offers a suite of tailored interventions drawing on the skill sets of multiple intervention providers including practical mentors and theological & ideological specialists as well as provides support through psychological intervention where this need is identified.It focusses on those who have served prison sentences for terrorist or terrorist related offences and are due to be released on probation licence; those on Terrorism Prevention Investigation Measures (TPIMs): and those who have returned from conflict zones in Syria or Iraq and are subject to Temporary Exclusion Orders (TEOs).The Home Office seeks to drive improvements to our programmes on a continuous basis and is currently undertaking a review of the programme by the way of an independent evaluation.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Cabinet Office: Staff

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government why they have appointed a Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities as Minister for Intergovernmental Relations; and what assessment they have made of whether the two roles can be performed by a single individual.

Lord Greenhalgh: The role of Minister for Intergovernmental Relations is a continuation of my Rt. Hon. friend’s role as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office. The creation of this ministerial responsibility alongside his role as Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities demonstrates the importance that this Government places on working effectively with the devolved administrations to deliver for citizens in every part of the UK.

Freeports

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made with the development of the eight freeports designated in the March 2021 Budget.

Lord Greenhalgh: The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is working closely with each prospective English Freeport to agree governance arrangements and complete outline business cases and therefore is unable to comment on progress at specific sites. However, it is anticipated that the first Freeports will be operational in late 2021.

Cabinet Office

Dhofar War: Disclosure of Information

Baroness Whitaker: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect to publish correspondence between Harold Wilson and Edward Heath about the Dhofar war which is due to be released this year.

Lord True: The file containing these records was reviewed recently and it was concluded that, owing to their continuing sensitivity, they should remain closed for a further 10 years in accordance with the provisions of the Public Records Act 1958.

Veterans: Gambling

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Forces in Mind Trust reportThe United Kingdom Armed Forces Veterans' Health and Gambling Study, published on 23 September.

Lord True: This UK wide study explores levels of gambling participation and attitudes towards gambling in ex-serving personnel and adds to the important existing data on the issue of gambling in our veteran community. We will consider the study’s findings as part of our broader research programme looking at a range of policy issues which may affect veterans and their families.We are fully committed to providing support to our veterans. Veterans can access a range of health and wellbeing services to help them with mental and physical health problems. Veterans who need support can access it via the Veterans' Gateway which provides a single point of contact to make it easier for veterans, service personnel and their families to get the right information, advice and support 24/7. The National Gambling Helpline also gives confidential information, advice and support for anyone affected by gambling problems in England, Scotland and Wales.

Public Appointments: Equality

Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord True on 28 September (HL2731), what commitments they have to ensure diversity of public appointments.

Lord True: On 21st October, the Government published the Public Appointments Data Report 2021. This set out the diversity data for public appointments held and made. The Government previously published a plan for increasing diversity in public appointments, the Public Appointments Diversity Action Plan, available on GOV.UK. We are keeping the plan under review to ensure that we continue to attract a broad range of talented people from across the UK to these roles.

Northern Ireland Protocol: Drugs

Lord Rogan: To ask Her Majesty's Government why they agreed to medicines being included within the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland; and what plans they have, if any, to reverse this decision.

Lord Frost: The Protocol was agreed at a particular moment as part of a broader deal that delivered on the referendum result, delivered on the democratic will of the British people and took us out of the EU. We hoped that with sensitive handling the Protocol could be made to work, but we always knew there were risks. That is why we included a number of safeguard provisions.As we now know, the Protocol was not handled sensitively and we are now in a different world. To move on, we need to find sustainable, long-term arrangements that take proper account of the nature of supplies of medicines as an inherent part of the delivery of national health services. As in our Command Paper of 21 July, we propose to remove medicines from the scope of the Protocol in their entirety.We are working through the detail of the EU’s proposals received on 13 October. We are now in discussions with the EU on their and our proposals to see if the gaps can be bridged and a solution found which delivers the significant change needed.

Travel: Capita

Baroness Hoey: To ask Her Majesty's Government (1) which departments use Capita to book international travel, and (2) what has been the cost of using Capita to book international travel for (a) Ministers, and (b) civil servants.

Baroness Hoey: To ask Her Majesty's Government which outside contractors are used by departments to book international travel.

Lord True: This information is not held centrally.Details of Government contracts above £10,000 are published on Contracts Finder: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Search.

Treasury

Taxation: Electronic Government

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that software providers for businesses participating in the Making Tax Digital programme do not pursue unfair profit-seeking behaviour.

Lord Agnew of Oulton: HMRC works closely with the software industry to ensure that businesses have access to products that suit their budgets and needs.The introduction of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT has resulted in a competitive software market. Many businesses that were already using subscription-based accounting software before MTD saw their products upgraded for MTD compatibility for free. Several free and low-cost software products are available.HMRC expects a similarly competitive market for MTD for Income Tax Self Assessment. The government remains committed to working with software suppliers to ensure there are free MTD for Income Tax Self Assessment software products for businesses with straightforward tax affairs.

Investment

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to impose stronger investor protections where illiquid assets are held in funds.

Lord Agnew of Oulton: The government works closely with the financial services regulators to ensure appropriate investor protections are in place where illiquid assets are held in funds. In September 2020 the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) introduced rules to make liquidity management in certain funds more transparent and predictable. These include the requirement that some funds suspend if there’s material uncertainty regarding the value of 20% of the fund’s assets. In August 2020, the FCA consulted on introducing notice periods for open ended property funds, in order to align the funds redemption terms with the liquidity of the underlying assets. In July 2021, the Bank and the FCA concluded a joint review of open-ended funds which outlined a possible framework for taking forward improvements to certain liquidity management tools. These conclusions will feed into ongoing international work with other regulators. The government also supports the work of the FCA to develop the Long-Term Asset Fund (LTAF), an open-ended vehicle designed to hold illiquid assets. The LTAF rules embed longer redemption periods, high levels of disclosure, and strong liquidity management and governance features in order to provide sufficient investor protection. The FCA consulted on the LTAF between May and June this year and published the final rules for the new structure on 25 October.